Hi ,I’m the carer of my octogenarian mother who has alzheimers and a severe Tremor and who falls short of being Compos Mentis so I dont like leaving her for extended periods of time as its not very safe.
I’m disabled myself due to a large stroke many years ago, so I’m reliant on my DLA to provide for our needs in a limited way. This means my DLA is vital and I don’t want to make any claims which could jeopardise it.
I’m considering applying for either
- carers allowance
- Universal credit
- a combination of the above
Please note my mum receives attendance allowance
If anyone could provide with with advice or guidance itd be hugely appreciated. I’m pretty good with IT matters and looking forward to making my contribution to the forum in that way.
Thanks
Reynard
Welcome to the forum.
I’ll start with mum’s money.
Do you have Power of Attorney for mum?
As she has dementia that counts as a severe mental impairment (SMI) which exempts her from Council Tax.
If not being claimed, this can be backdated, as it’s an exemption not a benefit.
Although I’ve claimed Universal Credit for my son, who has learning difficulties, it’s not a benefit I know a lot about.
I suggest you contact our Carers UK Helpline, I remember seeing enquiries about people who are disabled claiming Carers Allowance for someone else, but not what the reply was.
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@Reynard hiya Reynard , welcome to the forum .i hope you are having a nice day. As well as contacting Carersuk. You could also contact your local citizens advice bureau. Type that into google and the area that you live in and it will bring up your local phone number for them and they will make an appointment for someone to ring you back and go through everything with you. What your mum claims and what you get all about universal credit. And carers allowance and claiming both. And if it will affect what your mum gets. And also council tax exemption due to how your mum is. They will talk it all through with you, and help you apply .they are experts on benefits.take care.
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The CUK adviceline team will be able to answer your queries in complete confidence.
You can email us at adviceline@carersuk.org and we will respond to your enquiries within 10 working days, although it can often be sooner.
Our telephone helpline providing information is open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm - 0808 808 7777
You can also get hold of useful information and support online.
• Visit the Help and Advice sections of our website where we have lots of information and downloadable factsheets on the topics people ask us about most. www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice
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Thank you. I was completely unaware of the SMI rule
Thanks I’ll phone later today Suzie
It’s seldom mentioned anywhere, so whenever anyone new mentions dementia I always double check. Be sure to ask for it to be backdated. Martin Lewis mentions it at times, apparently he heard of someone who reclaimed over £8,000! If you meet anyone else in a similar situation, please be sure to mention it to them too.
I applied only last year and it was backdated 3 years! We got £2400 refund and exemption going forward so I was getting 25% single occupant discount til he died. The form is VERY simple and can be downloaded from the council website and returned to them - then they send it to GP to countersign and confirm the date the “SMI” began.
Of course the Councils don’t tell anyone about it !!!
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Thank you, Suze. The phone number has changed; it’s now 0800731 0297.I’m glad to say John there gave me excellent advice